[paula r]

How much does it cost to see a dentist in Australia? I am a bit concerned because my family never seems to get away from visiting the dentist. If it's not check ups then it's a small filling or a scale and polish from the hygienist. There's never anything serious – but it never ends.

Bit worried about the size of the bills as I have heard that dental treatment in Australia is not covered by medicare.

[quincy]

Hi,
Yes dental bills can be expensive in Australia. For primary children there is school dental care and a yearly check up is free. The school dentist will fill teeth but there will be a charge for this.

To give an idea of the cost of dental work here are a few prices from Noble dentists – this is a chain of dentists all over Australia. You pay yearly membership ($150 approx for a family) and receive reduced dental bills.

Check up $43
Metal filling $84
2 metal fillings $104
white filling $94 (front tooth)
white filling $103 (back tooth)
full crown $1051
x ray $33

Hope this helps to reassure you. These prices are for Adelaide. Full list here: http://www.nobledentist.com.au/dentist_dental_fee_price_cost.php#Adelaide
At the top of the page are further links so that you can find dental costs for Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Perth.

[Thongs of Praise]

It sounds like you're from the UK Paula and used to free or cheap NHS dentistry.

One thing should you be careful about in Australia is orthodontics.

One of our daughters completed a course involving two extractions and braces in the UK. Her teeth weren't awful, but they were bad enough for her to feel unhappy about them. They were also bad enough to qualify for free treatment in the UK.

Our younger daughter, whose teeth were almost identical to the first, got her braces fitted in Australia and the bill came to $5,000 for the course of treatment.

So if you think any orthodontics might be needed, get it done in the UK before you move!

[FamousFive]

It sounds like you're from the UK Paula and used to free or cheap NHS dentistry.

One thing should you be careful about in Australia is orthodontics.

One of our daughters completed a course involving two extractions and braces in the UK. Her teeth weren't awful, but they were bad enough for her to feel unhappy about them. They were also bad enough to qualify for free treatment in the UK.

Our younger daughter, whose teeth were almost identical to the first, got her braces fitted in Australia and the bill came to $5,000 for the course of treatment.

So if you think any orthodontics might be needed, get it done in the UK before you move!

Yes, orthodotics are very expensive here, although, to be fair, if you don't qualify for NHS treatment in the UK, the cost of orthodontic work is similar to the cost in Australia. I think the NHS may have tightened regulations in the last couple of years so that fewer people qualify for free orthodontic treatment.


Orthodontics on the NHS

Orthodontic treatment is only available free of charge on the NHS for young people who are under 18 years of age and who have a clear clinical need for treatment.

A rating system, known as the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), is used to assess the need and eligibility of individual cases. The IOTN is made up of five grades, which are listed below.

* Grade 1 almost perfect teeth.
* Grade 2: minor irregularities with the teeth, such as slightly protruding upper front teeth.
* Grade 3: greater irregularities with the teeth do not require treatment for health reasons. For example, upper front teeth that protrude 4mm (0.15 inches) or less.
* Grade 4: a severe degree of irregularity with the teeth that requires treatment for health reasons. For example, upper front teeth that protrude more than 6mm (0.25 inches).
* Grade 5: severe dental health problems. For example, upper front teeth that protrude more than 9mm (0.35 inches).

NHS treatment is available for grade four or five cases. Grade three cases are usually judged on a case-by-case basis, and treatment may be made available if the appearance of the teeth is particularly unattractive.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Orthodontics/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[paula r]

Thanks to all for the info - I will need to make sure that the family looks after their teeth properly from now on. Fortunately none of us need or have braces. It sounds very expensive.

[Cliff]

I got an electric toothbrush for Xmas and I have really noticed the difference. My teeth are a lot cleaner and slight staining on my lower front teeth has disappeared. I'd highly recommend one. It's a cheap way to look after you teeth.